July 29, 2023
West Africa: Military Takeover Is a Setback for Democracy and U.S. Interests in West Africa
The West African nation Niger is under military rule following a coup in which President Mohamed Bazoum was overthrown and held captive by members of his own guard. Read more »
July 28, 2023
Africa: Putin Offers Unconvincing Giveaways to Make Up for Killing Ukraine Grain Deal
The second Russia-Africa summit in St Petersburg on July 27 and 28 was predictably overshadowed by the war in Ukraine - and especially Russia's refusal to agree an extension of the… Read more »
July 27, 2023
South Africa: South Africa Is Failing to Live Up to Its Constitution. Gains Made Since Democracy Are Being Squandered - Report
The end of apartheid in 1994 and advent of constitutional democracy resulted in major societal changes in South Africa. The aim was to forge a "united and democratic" society. The… Read more »
Nigeria: Pesticides Are Harming Nigeria - It's Time to Update the Law
The European Union has banned the use of several pesticides, and heavily restricted others. This is because of their potential health effects or environmental contamination, or… Read more »
Africa: Africa At the Netball World Cup - Four Teams Are Set to Inspire the Continent
The Netball World Cup was first held in 1963. It's the largest women's sporting event on the planet - and for the first time it's being hosted in Africa. Four African teams have… Read more »
Egypt: How Hidden Details in Ancient Egyptian Tomb Paintings Are Revealed By Chemical Imaging
The walls of ancient Egyptian tombs can teach us much about the lives of the pharaohs and their entourages. Tomb paintings showed the deceased and their immediate family members… Read more »
Africa: Will Ukraine Be Able to Win Over the Global South in Its Fight Against Russian Aggression?
I was running from my home in Kyiv as the Russian army occupied Bucha, Gostomel and Irpin in the early stages of its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Read more »
Africa: Deaf Rappers Who Lay Down Rhymes in Sign Languages Are Changing What It Means for Music to Be Heard
In April 2023, DJ Supalee hosted Supafest Reunion 2023 to celebrate entertainers and promoters within the U.S. Deaf community. Read more »
July 26, 2023
Africa: Long Covid - Brain Function Still Affected for Some Up to Two Years After Infection - New Research
Difficulties with cognitive functions or skills, such as the ability to recall memories, concentrate on tasks, or find the right words in conversation, are commonly reported… Read more »
Mali: Mali Crisis - UN Peacekeepers Are Leaving After 10 Years - What's Needed for a Smooth Transition
The UN Security Council voted on 30 June 2023 to end its peacekeeping mission in Mali, Minusma, after Mali officially requested its complete withdrawal. Over 11,000 military… Read more »
South Africa: Eskom and South Africa's Energy Crisis - De Ruyter Book Strikes a Chord but Falls Flat On Economic Fixes
The former chief executive of South Africa's power utility, Eskom, has written a scathing critique of the ruling party's practices that have seriously damaged the country's… Read more »
Egypt: Egypt and Ethiopia Are Finally Working On a Water Deal - What That Means for Other Nile River States
Egypt and Ethiopia have waged a diplomatic war of words over Ethiopia's massive new dam - the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam - on the Blue Nile, which started filling up in July… Read more »
Ghana: Pedestrians in Ghana Are Risking Their Lives - We Studied What's Distracting Them While Walking
Walking has health and environmental benefits - but it's not always a person's choice for getting around. And it does come with hazards. One fifth of the people killed on the roads… Read more »
South Africa: Essop Pahad - a Diligent Communist Driven By an Optimistic Vision of a Non-Racial South Africa
The death of South African freedom struggle stalwart Essop Pahad (84) on 6 July 2023 prompted tributes from his former comrades. There were also less respectful obituaries… Read more »
July 25, 2023
Africa: Food Crisis in Africa - the High Cost of Imported Fertilisers Is Adding to the Problem
Global fertiliser suppliers have made incredibly high profits in 2022/23 on the back of price spikes attributed to the Russia-Ukraine war. The profits of the world's top nine… Read more »
Africa: Record Technostress and Reduced Well-Being Show That Remote Working Isn't as Good as we Thought
At the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic, at least 557 million workers were forced to work from home. Read more »
South Africa: Netball World Cup - an Untold Black Sport History of South Africa
Netball had become established in South Africa by 1917, much later than other sports that originated in the 1800s. South Africa, however, had a visible presence in the early years… Read more »
Africa: Russia-Africa Summit - Five Things African Leaders Must Achieve
The second Russia-Africa Summit takes place in St Petersburg on 27-28 July. This comes at a time of a major geopolitical shift, which African leaders may see as offering beneficial… Read more »
Africa: Computer-Written Scripts and Deepfake Actors - What's At the Heart of the Hollywood Strikes Against Generative AI
For the first time in 60 years, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) are simultaneously facing off against the Alliance of Motion Picture and… Read more »
Africa: Why Workers in Small Businesses Can Struggle With Mental Health and 'Presenteeism'
If you are struggling with your mental health, is it better to come to work or stay off sick? You may think your employer would prefer you try to keep working, but many employers… Read more »
Africa: Russia Summit Is an Opportunity for Africa to Unite On Ukraine and Get Wagner Out of the Continent
Two critical issues must be top of mind for African leaders when they meet President Vladimir Putin at the second Russia-Africa summit in St Petersburg this week. Read more »
July 24, 2023
Nigeria: Nigeria's Food Insecurity - Declaring a State of Emergency Isn't a Real Solution - Here's What Is
Nigerians doing their grocery shopping in July 2023 are paying 25% more for staple items than they did a year ago. Read more »
Africa: You've Lost Someone You Love - 4 Signs You May Need to Seek Grief Counselling
Grief is a natural response to losing something you felt a bond with. This loss ranges from death to the end of a relationship. It could also be the loss of an election or of a… Read more »
July 22, 2023
Kenya: Kenya's Logging Ban Has Been Lifted - It's a Political Decision and a Likely Setback for Conservation
Kenyan president William Ruto has lifted a six-year ban on logging, despite public objections. Ruto said it would create jobs and boost economic growth. Lisa E. Fuchs has studied… Read more »
July 21, 2023
Africa: Russia-Africa Summit Provides a Global Stage for Moscow to Puff Up Its Influence
Forty-three African heads of state attended the 2019 Russia-Africa summit. They had high hopes that Russia would emerge as a new source of investment and trade for the continent.… Read more »